Hunter&#39;s backpack

ABSTRACT

A hunter&#39;s backpack comprises a pack bag having a forward-facing side positioned to face an individual&#39;s back when said backpack is worn. A rigid frame extends substantially the full width and height of the pack bag. The rigid frame is removably fixed to the pack bag adjacent the forward-facing side so that it serves as a backpack support frame for maintaining the shape of the backpack and transferring the load of articles stored therein. The rigid frame includes axle attachment means for removable attachment of a pair of axles to the frame, the axles being stored in the backpack. A pair of wheels is also stored in the backpack. The wheels are removably attachable to the axles and rotatable thereon. Thus, the rigid frame, when removed from the pack bag, can be assembled with the axles and wheels, to form a game cart.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hunting, and particularly to a backpack especially useful to hunters in that it can be used as a backpack for carrying hunting gear and supplies, but incorporates components of a two-wheeled cart that can be assembled by a hunter in a forest at a hunting site that is inaccessible to a motor vehicle, and used to transport the carcass of a deer or other game animal through the forest to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The average weight of an adult male deer exceeds 200 pounds (91 kg). Even when field dressed, the weight of the deer carcass can exceed 150 pounds (68 kg), making it very difficult for a hunter to carry. The site at which a deer is killed is more often than not at a location in a forest that is far from a road, and inaccessible to a truck or automobile. For these reasons, it is common for a hunter to utilize a cart to transport a deer carcass from a hunting site to a vehicle parked at a remote location. Various carts for this purpose are known. Examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,564,720, 5,620,193, 6,217,043, 6,805,269, 7,017,939, 7,172,207, and 8,366,125.

Even when designed for compactness, or constructed so that they can be taken down or folded, game carts are generally cumbersome, and increase the burden on the hunter, who also needs to be equipped with a rifle, ammunition, and other hunting gear and supplies.

A hunter will often carry hunting gear and supplies in a backpack. Most backpacks suitable for use by hunters are of the kind that utilize a backpack frame to maintain the shape of the backpack, and transfer the load of the articles stored in the backpack so that a large part of the load is concentrated on a waist belt attached to the backpack. Backpack frames are of two principal types, external and internal. An external backpack frame is typically a structure formed of metal tubing to which a waist belt, shoulder straps and a pack bag are fastened. An internal backpack frame is usually a metal tubing structure disposed inside a pack bag adjacent the forward-facing part of the pack bag, i.e., the part that faces the wearer's back.

Backpack frames are particularly useful in backpacks designed for heavy loads because they transfer the majority of the weight to the wearer's waist, thereby relieving the wearer's shoulders and decreasing strain on the wearer's back. However the frames themselves add to the overall weight of the backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention utilizes a removable internal backpack frame that can be quickly and easily converted into a game transport cart.

A hunter's backpack in accordance with the invention comprises a pack bag formed of fabric and having a forward facing side positioned to face an individual's back when said backpack is worn. A rigid frame is provided in the pack bag, extending substantially the full width and height of the pack bag. The rigid frame is removably fixed to the pack bag adjacent the forward facing side so that it serves as a backpack support frame for maintaining the shape of the backpack and transferring the load of articles stored therein. Axle attachment means, preferably sockets, are provided for removable attachment of a pair of axles to the frame, the axles being stored in the backpack. A pair of wheels is also stored in the backpack. The wheels are removably attachable to the axles and rotatable thereon. Thus, the rigid frame, when removed from the pack bag, can be assembled with the axles and wheels, to form a game cart.

In a preferred embodiment of the backpack, the rigid frame comprises a plate, which can be composed of synthetic resin, extending substantially the full width and height of the pack bag.

In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the backpack, metal reinforcing plates are fastened respectively to the forward-facing and rearward-facing sides of the synthetic resin plate, and extend from a location adjacent the right edge to a location adjacent the left edge of the synthetic resin plate. These metal reinforcing plates are secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in the synthetic resin plate. The axle-attachment means are fixed directly to one of the reinforcing plates, preferably by welding. The axle attachment means can comprise a pair of sockets, each for removably receiving one of said axles.

In the preferred embodiment, The pack bag includes two compartments, each having one of the wheels stored removably therein, and two compartments, each having one of the axles stored removably therein.

In an alternative embodiment, the rigid frame can be an open frame comprising a pair of side members extending in spaced relationship to each other, a top member and a bottom member, each extending from one of the side members to the other, and a plurality of intermediate reinforcing struts extending from one of the side members to the other. A plate having opposite ends extends from one of the side members to the other, and the axle-attachment means comprises a first axle-receiving tube connected to the plate adjacent one of the opposite ends of the plate and a second axle-receiving tube connected to the plate adjacent the other end of the plate.

In a preferred embodiment, an additional fabric layer overlying a panel on the forward-facing side of the pack bag and located either on the inner or outer side of the panel, forms a pocket having a height extending from a location adjacent the top of the backpack to a location adjacent the bottom of the backpack, and a width extending from a location adjacent the right side of the backpack to a location adjacent the left side. The pocket has an opening, extending along its top, its right side, its left side or its bottom, for removably receiving the rigid frame.

In the case where an open frame is located outside the backpack, the pocket can be a shallow pocket located near the bottom of the forward facing side of the pack bag. The lower part of the frame can fit into the shallow pocket, and the upper part of the frame can be attached to the upper part of the pack bag by straps or other suitable fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a partially broken away perspective view of a hunter's backpack in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 1, showing the top of the backpack in an open condition and showing the backpack frame, in the form of a plate, being inserted into a pocket of the backpack;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the forward facing panel of the pack bag, showing a frame-receiving pocket;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the frame in the form of a plate, showing the parts thereof, including the metal reinforcing plates and the axle-receiving means;

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of a cart including the frame of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing a cart formed from the frame of FIG. 3B, in use for transporting a deer;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a backpack having a frame-receiving pocket in an alternative location;

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the frame, showing the parts thereof, including an axle-receiving means an a metal plate for supporting the axle-receiving means; and

FIG. 6B is an assembled view of the frame of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The backpack 10, shown in FIG. 1A, comprises a pack bag 12, preferably formed by sewing together waterproof panels composed of reinforced nylon or polyester fabric. The pack bag has a rearward-facing side 14 and an opposite forward-facing side 16, which faces the back of the individual wearing the backpack. The pack bag has a top cover 18 connected to the lower part of the pack bag by a fabric hinge so that the top cover can be opened for insertion and removal of contents. Latches 20 are provided to secure the top cover in a closed condition. Two shoulder straps, one of which is visible in FIG. 1A as shoulder strap 22, form loops through which the wearer's arms are extended when the backpack is put on, and which engage the wearer's shoulders while the backpack is worn. Chest straps, one of which is visible in FIG. 1A as strap 24, are connected to a part of the pack bag near the top cover, and can be connected to each other in front of the wearer's chest. A waist belt is composed of two portions 26 that can be connected to each other in front of the wearer's waist. Two loops 28 are stitched to the waist belt components adjacent the locations at which they meet the pack bag. These loops can be used to secure lines for connecting the pack bag to the cart which will be described below.

The top cover 18 can be proved with internal storage compartments closable respectively by zippers 30 and 32. One of these two compartments can be used for storage of one of the two wheels of the cart. The other compartment can be used for the storage of other cart components such as washers, cotter pins, etc. or miscellaneous hunting gear. A flap 34, near the bottom of the interior of the pack bag and shown in the broken-away part of FIG. 1A, can be used to separate a second wheel 36, stored in the bottom of the pack bag, from other materials carried inside the bag. Pockets with flaps are provided on the right and left sides of the pack bag for storage of axles for the cart, the pocket on the left side being visible as pocket 38 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 1B, an internal pocket 40 is formed by the forward facing panel of the pack bag and a fabric panel 42 sewn to the inside of the forward facing panel. A flap 44 is provided to close the opening at the upper end of the pocket 38, and can be held in place by a hook and loop fastener one part 46 of which is provided near the upper end of the fabric panel 42 on the rearward-facing side thereof. Instead of hook and loop fasteners, various other suitable fastening means, such as snap fasteners, straps with buckles, ties, loops of cord and buttons, and the like, may be used to hold the flap 44 in a closed condition over the opening at the upper end of the pocket 38.

A frame 50 is shown being inserted into the pocket 40. The principal part of the frame is a generally rectangular rigid plate 52, preferably composed of a durable, impact resistant, synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate or another resin having similar properties. When inserted into the pocket 40, the frame 50 serves as an internal backpack frame. The size and shape of the plate 52 should be such that, when the frame is fully inserted into the pocket 40 and the flap 44 is closed and secured to the fabric panel 42, the upper edge 54 of the plate 52 engages the flap 44. Then, a part of the weight of the contents of the pack bag can be transferred through the pack bag fabric to the upper edge 54 of the plate 52, and through the plate 52 to the waist belt, thereby relieving the load imposed on the wearer's shoulders through the shoulder straps, and also relieving the load imposed on the upper part of the wearer's chest through the chest straps.

FIG. 2 shows the pocket 40 sewn to a panel 55 that forms the forward-facing side of the pack bag. The pocket can be located on the inside of the pack bag as shown in FIG. 1B, or alternatively on the forward-facing outside surface of the pack bag. FIG. 2 shows both part 46 and the mating part 57 of a hook and loop fastener for securing the flap 44 in its closed condition.

When the frame is removed from the backpack, axles and wheels can be attached to the frame by axle attachment means to form a hauling cart.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the frame 50 includes not only the synthetic resin plate 52, but also a pair of rectangular metal reinforcing plates 56 and 58, which extend across the plate 52 on opposite sides thereof, from a right edge 60 of plate 52 to a left edge 62. The reinforcing plates are secured together by bolts, e.g., bolt 64, that extend through holes in plate 52. Metal tubes 66 and 68, are welded respectively to plate 56, serve as axle receivers. These metal tubes are aligned with each other and extend toward each other from locations adjacent the right and left edges 60 and 62 of plate 52. Bolt holes 70 are provided in the tubes for bolts (not shown) used to secure rods 72 and 74 to the tubes. These rods serve as axles for wheels 76 and 78, which are mounted rotatably on the axles using washers 80 and pins 82.

Preferably, each of the rods is provided with two or more transverse through holes, e.g. holes 84 and 86 in rod 72, that allow for widthwise adjustment of the wheelbase of the cart. Unless a larger distance between the wheels is needed in order to accommodate a large animal, it is desirable for the distance between the wheels to be reduced in order to facilitate movement of the cart through brush and past other natural obstructions as it is pulled through a forest.

When the cart is assembled, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is preferably placed on the ground with the reinforcing plate 58 on the top side of plate 52. Slots 85 may be provided adjacent one of the forward and rearward edges of the plate 52 for attachment of lines used to pull the cart. Additional slots 86 may be provided adjacent the longitudinal edges of the plate 52 for attachment of straps. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a deer 88 is secured to the top side of the cart by straps 90 and 92, and a hunter 94 is shown pulling the cart by means of lines 96 connected from the slots at the forward edge of the plate to the loops 28 on the backpack. Straps 90 and 92 can be secured by hooks to holes 87 (FIG. 3B). Alternatively, rope can be used to secure the deer to the cart. The length of the plate 52 does not need to be as long as the deer or other game animal that it carries, as the carcass can overhang the cart both at the front and at the rear. Thus, the size of plate 52 can be such that it can fit a backpack of ordinary size. A typical plate 52 is 14 inches (36 cm) in width and 18 inches (46 cm) in length. The dimensions of the plate, of course, will vary depending on the size of the backpack.

As mentioned above, the pocket for receiving the backpack frame can be either inside or outside the pack bag, and in either case the height of the pocket can correspond to the full length of the frame. However, in the case of an external frame, the height of the pocket can be relatively small compared to the length of the frame. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a backpack 98 is provided with a pocket 100 having an opening 102 which receives only the bottom portion of a frame. The opposite end of the frame can be secured to the upper part of the pack bag by straps 104 or other suitable securing means. In this case, although a frame in the form of a panel as in FIG. 3A can be used, an open frame such as shown in FIG. 6A is preferable.

The open frame 106, shown in FIG. 6A, can be composed of tubing of aluminum or other suitable metal. The frame includes an outer part 108 formed of tubing bent approximately in the shape of a rectangle, and plural struts 110, also formed of tubing, extending across, and welded to, the outer part. In addition, a rectangular mounting plate 112 extends across the frame from one side to the other at an intermediate location between the top and the bottom of the frame, and is welded at its ends to the outer part of the frame.

Axle receiver plates 114, each having an axle-receiving tube 116, can be bolted to the mounting plate 112. Axles 118 can then be secured to the axle-receiving tubes, and wheels 120 can be mounted for rotation on the axles, in the same manner in which the axles and wheels are mounted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. The assembled cart is illustrated in FIG. 6B, and is used in the same manner as the cart shown in FIG. 4. Straps for pulling the cart, and straps for securing the carcass to the cart can be connected directly to the outer part 108 of the frame.

Various modifications in the shape, size and configuration of the backpack frames can be made. For example, in some cases, the upper part of the frame can have a convex curvature to conform to the shape of a backpack having a rounded upper part. The frames preferably have a size and shape conforming to, and are nearly as large as, the forward-facing part of the pack bag. However, in some cases, the height or width of the frame can be smaller than the height and width of the forward-facing part. In the case of an external frame, the height of the frame can be greater than that of the pack bag, and the upper part of the back bag can be attached by straps or other suitable means to one of the cross-members of the frame instead of to the upper end of the outer part 108 of the frame.

In the case of a frame comprising a plate, as in FIG. 3A, the plate can be composed of any of various materials, including a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate or the like, a metal such as aluminum, or wood. The reinforcing plates can likewise be composed of materials other than metal.

In the case of an open frame as in FIG. 5A, elements other than tubing can be used. For example the outer part of the frame can be formed from a C-channel, or square tubing instead of round tubing. The cross struts can likewise be formed from square tubing, C-channels or the like. Although a metal such as aluminum is preferred as the material for the open frame, other materials such as durable synthetic resins or wood can be used.

The locations for storage of wheels and other cart components can vary. For example, variations are possible in which both wheels are stored in the bottom of the pack bag, or in which the axles are store inside the pack bag instead of in separate elongated pockets on the sides of the bag.

Each axle attachment means, preferably includes a tubular axle receiver, and in the case of the open frame embodiment, in which the axle attachment means is removable from the frame, the axle attachment means includes the tubular receiver and the plate 114 to which it is permanently attached. Thus, the axle attachment means can remain with the frame when the frame is stowed in or on the backpack as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the axle attachment means can be removed from the frame when the frame is stowed, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A. Other equivalent attachment devices, such as clamps or U-bolts, for example, can be used instead of the tubes or tube and plate combinations.

The above modifications and many other modifications can be made to the hunter's backpack as described without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hunter's backpack comprising: a pack bag formed of fabric and having a forward facing side positioned to face an individual's back when said backpack is worn by said individual; a rigid frame extending substantially the full width and height of said pack bag and being removably fixed to said pack bag adjacent said forward facing side, whereby said rigid frame serves as a backpack support frame for maintaining the shape of said backpack and transferring the load of articles stored therein; axle-attachment means for removable attachment of a pair of axles to said frame; a pair of axles stored in said backpack and removably attachable to said frame by means of said axle-attachment means; and a pair of wheels also stored in said backpack, said wheels being respectively removably attachable to said axles and rotatable thereon when attached to said axles; whereby said rigid frame, when removed from said pack bag, can be assembled with said axles and said wheels, to form a cart.
 2. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate extending substantially the full width and height of said pack bag.
 3. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pack bag.
 4. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pack bag, said plate having right and left edges, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and a pair of metal reinforcing plates fastened respectively to said forward facing and rearward facing sides of the synthetic resin plate and extending from a location adjacent the right edge of said synthetic resin plate to said left edge of said synthetic resin plate, said metal reinforcing plates being secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in said synthetic resin plate, and in which said axle-attachment means are fixed directly to one of said reinforcing plates.
 5. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pack bag, said plate having right and left edges, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and a pair of metal reinforcing plates fastened respectively to said forward facing and rearward facing sides of the synthetic resin plate and extending from a location adjacent the right edge of said synthetic resin plate to said left edge of said synthetic resin plate, said metal reinforcing plates being secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in said synthetic resin plate, and in which said axle attachment means are welded to one of said reinforcing plates.
 6. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said pack bag includes two compartments each having one of said wheels stored removably therein.
 7. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said pack bag includes two compartments each having one of said axles stored removably therein.
 8. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said axle attachment means comprise a pair of sockets each for removably receiving one of said axles.
 9. A hunter's backpack according to claim 1, in which said rigid frame comprises a pair of side members extending in spaced relationship to each other, a top member and a bottom member, each extending from one of said side members to the other of said side members, plurality of intermediate reinforcing struts extending from one of said side members to the other of said side members, and a plate having opposite ends and extending from one of said side members to the other, said axle-attachment means comprising a first axle-receiving tube connected to said plate adjacent one of said opposite ends thereof and a second axle-receiving tube connected to said plate adjacent the other of said opposite ends thereof.
 10. A hunter's backpack comprising: a pack bag formed of fabric and defining a compartment for storage of articles, said compartment having at least one access opening, said pack bag having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and including a panel located on forward facing side, said panel being formed of said fabric and having an inner side facing the interior of said compartment and an outer side positioned to face an individual's back when said backpack is worn by said individual, and extending from a location adjacent said top of the backpack to a location adjacent said bottom, and from a location adjacent said right side of the backpack to a location adjacent said left side; an additional fabric layer overlying said panel and located on one of said inner and outer sides of the panel, said additional fabric layer forming a pocket having a height extending from said location adjacent said top of the backpack to said location adjacent said bottom, and a width extending from said location adjacent said right side of the backpack to said location adjacent said left side, said pocket having an opening, extending along one of said top, said right side, said left side and said bottom, for removably receiving a rigid frame, a rigid frame located in said pocket, said frame extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket, and having right and left edges respectively located in said pocket adjacent the right and left sides of the backpack; first axle attachment means adjacent the right edge of the frame and a second axle attachment means adjacent the left edge of the frame, said axle attachment means being located at an intermediate location between the top and bottom of the backpack; a pair of axles stored in said backpack and removably attachable to said axle attachment means; and a pair of wheels also stored in said backpack, said wheels being respectively removably attachable to said axles and rotatable thereon when attached to said axles; whereby, said rigid frame, when in said pocket, serves as a backpack support frame for maintaining the shape of said backpack and transferring the load of articles stored therein, and when removed from said pocket, can be assembled with said axles and said wheels, to form a cart.
 11. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said additional fabric layer is located on said inner side of said panel.
 12. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said additional fabric layer is located on said outer side of said panel.
 13. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said axles comprise cylindrical rods having the same diameter, in which each of said first and second axle attachment means comprises a tube fixed to said rigid frame and having a cylindrical interior space with an axis extending perpendicular to said right and left sides of the pack bag and having a cylindrical interior wall having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical rods and capable of receiving one of said cylindrical rods, and in which the axes of said cylindrical interior spaces of the tubes are aligned with each other.
 14. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket.
 15. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket.
 16. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket, said plate having right and left edges, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and a pair of metal reinforcing plates fastened respectively to said forward facing and rearward facing sides of the synthetic resin plate and extending from a location adjacent the right edge of said synthetic resin plate to said left edge of said synthetic resin plate, said metal reinforcing plates being secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in said synthetic resin plate, and in which said first and second axle attachment means are fixed directly to one of said reinforcing plates.
 17. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket, said plate having right and left edges, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and a pair of metal reinforcing plates fastened respectively to said forward facing and rearward facing sides of the synthetic resin plate and extending from a location adjacent the right edge of said synthetic resin plate to said left edge of said synthetic resin plate, said metal reinforcing plates being secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in said synthetic resin plate, in which said first and second axle attachment means comprises a pair of tubes fixed directly to one of said reinforcing plates, each of said tubes having a cylindrical interior space with an axis extending perpendicular to said right and left sides of the pack bag and having a cylindrical interior wall having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical rods and capable of receiving one of said cylindrical rods, and in which the axes of said cylindrical interior spaces of the tubes are aligned with each other.
 18. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said rigid frame comprises a plate composed of synthetic resin and extending substantially the full width and height of said pocket, said plate having right and left edges, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side, and a pair of metal reinforcing plates fastened respectively to said forward facing and rearward facing sides of the synthetic resin plate and extending from a location adjacent the right edge of said synthetic resin plate to said left edge of said synthetic resin plate, said metal reinforcing plates being secured to each other by fasteners extending through holes in said synthetic resin plate, in which said first and second axle attachment means comprises a pair of tubes welded to one of said reinforcing plates, each of said tubes having a cylindrical interior space with an axis extending perpendicular to said right and left sides of the pack bag and having a cylindrical interior wall having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical rods and capable of receiving one of said cylindrical rods, and in which the axes of said cylindrical interior spaces of the tubes are aligned with each other.
 19. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said pack bag includes two compartments each having one of said wheels stored removably therein.
 20. A hunter's backpack according to claim 10, in which said pack bag includes two compartments each having one of said axles stored removably therein. 